At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead automation projects in a cutting-edge biotech lab, optimising workflows and robotic systems.
- Company: Innovative biotech company in London with a focus on R&D and automation.
- Benefits: Generous salary, bonus, benefits package, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to the company's automation strategy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in biotech by enhancing laboratory automation and efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience with lab automation and liquid handling robots; strong troubleshooting skills.
Your new company Hays have been exclusively retained by an innovative, growing biotech in London to hire an experienced Lead Automation Engineer into their R&D team. You'll work within a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and data specialists, contributing to the development of cutting‑edge translational research platforms as the company builds its capacity.
Your new role As a Senior/Lead Automation Engineer, you will take technical ownership of laboratory automation systems, focusing on the optimisation and reliability of liquid handling platforms and automated workflows as the company continues to automate a number of its processes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning the performance, maintenance, and reliability of laboratory automation systems, particularly liquid handling platforms
- Operating, troubleshooting, and optimising robotic systems (e.g. Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons)
- Acting as the primary escalation point for automation failures, instrument errors, and workflow interruptions
- Translating manual and semi‑automated processes into robust, scalable automated workflows to support R&D operations
- Supporting commissioning, validation, and integration of new automation platforms
- Collaborating cross‑functionally with scientists, software engineers, and data teams to improve workflow efficiency
- Writing and maintaining SOPs, technical documentation, and troubleshooting guides
- Driving continuous improvements in throughput, reproducibility, and operational efficiency
- Coordinating vendor support, servicing, and upgrades
This is a permanent, lab based role at the company's site in London.
What you'll need to succeed:
A strong candidate will bring hands‑on engineering expertise and experience improving laboratory automation systems. You should be excited by the challenges involved in bringing in new equipment and solving problems within R&D workflows and have:
- Strong experience with laboratory automation, gained in a biotech, pharma, contract research organisation, or a similar environment
- Hands‑on expertise working with liquid handling robots (e.g. Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons) beyond routine operation
- Proven ability to troubleshoot issues (e.g. mechanical, fluidic, software)
- Experience developing, optimising, or scaling automated workflows
- Familiarity with LIMS/ELN and lab data workflows
- Strong communication skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams
- Interest in improving R&D efficiency through automation and process engineering
- The right to work in the UK (no sponsorship is available)
Nice to haves, but not essential are:
- Experience with flow cytometry or single‑cell genomics automation
- The ability to modify automation scripts, instrument methods, or vendor software protocols, but there is an established software team for this
What you'll get in return:
You'll be taking the lead for the company's automation as they continue to build this capacity and transfer their processes from manual to semi-automated and fully-automated; as well as solving hands-on problems you'll also be feeding into the company's automation strategy and working directly with C-suite and other senior stakeholders. You'll also get a generous salary, bonus and benefits package and a great working environment with a dedicated and friendly team.
What you need to do now:
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Lab Automation Lead - biotech in London employer: Hays Life Sciences
Join an innovative and rapidly growing biotech company in London, where you'll play a pivotal role as a Lab Automation Lead within a collaborative R&D team. Enjoy a supportive work culture that fosters continuous improvement and offers ample opportunities for professional growth, alongside a competitive salary and benefits package. This is your chance to make a meaningful impact on cutting-edge research while working with state-of-the-art automation technologies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lab Automation Lead - biotech in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the biotech field, attend industry events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it's not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its automation projects, and be ready to discuss how your experience with liquid handling robots can contribute to their goals. We want you to shine and show them why you're the perfect fit for their R&D team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in laboratory automation. We love hearing about your hands-on expertise and how you've optimised workflows in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way as you navigate this exciting opportunity in the biotech world.
We think you need these skills to ace Lab Automation Lead - biotech in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lab Automation Lead role. Highlight your hands-on experience with liquid handling robots and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match up with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your experiences; tell us about specific challenges you’ve faced in lab automation and how you tackled them. We love candidates who can demonstrate their troubleshooting prowess!
Keep It Clear and Concise:When writing your cover letter or any additional documentation, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like automation systems.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our innovative team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Life Sciences
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specific laboratory automation systems mentioned in the job description, like Hamilton, Tecan, and Opentrons. Brush up on your troubleshooting skills for mechanical, fluidic, and software issues, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've optimised automated workflows or solved complex issues in R&D settings. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your hands-on experience.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since this role involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to explain technical concepts in a way that non-engineers can understand, showcasing your strong communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Automation
Express your enthusiasm for improving R&D efficiency through automation. Share any personal projects or experiences that reflect your interest in the field, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the company's automation strategy.
